AVISTA: Answer these questions

On June 19, The Press printed an article, “Avista seeks new billing mechanism.” After reading the article I was left with many questions on how this would affect the consumer for affordable utilities.

Avista wants to add surcharges to the consumer’s bill for electricity and natural gas that the consumer does not use. Avista’s reason is to shift risks away from the utility investor to the consumer.

For years we have been asked to turn down the thermostat to save energy. I did, to save on cost of that energy. I am on a fixed income and need to budget my expenses. Now Avista wants a “surcharge” for that energy I do not use. Will this surcharge be the same for all consumers? Who protects the consumer for fairness in this charge?

Only residents were mentioned. What about businesses? How will this affect them if they receive this charge? Will businesses be exempt?

As proof of usage loss, Avista compares the years of 2006 and 2014. I wonder what the temperatures were for those years? As we know, temperatures affect usage.

Ben Otto, energy associate for the “Boise based Idaho Conservation League,” said, “We’d like to see it expanded to other utilities.” If all utilities adopt this way of billing, how would this affect the Idaho Utilities Commission (which has been the protector of the consumer)? Would this form of billing allow utilities to charge any amount to customers?

Is Avista more concerned about protecting the investor than making utilities affordable for the consumer?

CARLA SKINNER

Post Falls